ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different grafting materials on bone tensile strength after 6-month wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Non-critical size defects (3-mm diameter) were created in calvarium of 30 three-month-old Wistar rats. Animals were divided into 3 groups (n=10) treated with different grafting materials: GenOx® (Group 1A); GenMix® (Group 1B); no treatment (blood clot, Group 3). Six months after the surgery, rats were sacrificed; bone specimens were harvested and submitted to tensile strength test using a universal testing machine. The bone fracture surface morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 200X magnification. Data were compared by One-Way ANOVA at 5% significance. RESULTS: No significant difference was found among the groups although tensile strength decreased in the following order: Group 3 (9.56±3.74MPa), Group 1B (8.58±3.60MPa), Group 1A (7.70±2.41MPa). All tested materials showed similar effects on bone tensile strength, no matter the source (xenogenic or blood clot). CONCLUSION: After six months of bone healing, the type of grafting material is irrelevant to the final outcome and bone tensile strength.